Buckets for toilets, recycled gloves: Venezuelan hospitals await coronavirus unprepared

[Bacchus4.0]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-venezuela/buckets-for-toilets-recycled-gloves-venezuelan-hospitals-await-coronavirus-unprepared-idUSKBN20X2F1

MARACAIBO/SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela (Reuters) - In a hospital in Venezuela’s western city of Maracaibo, chronic water shortages have left staff using paint buckets as toilets. With medical gloves in short supply, workers use the same pair on multiple patients.

Years of recession, hyperinflation, and underinvestment in public services have left Venezuela in poor condition to confront any cases of the coronavirus that is spreading rapidly worldwide. Its hospitals suffer from chronic shortages of medicine and supplies, as well as frequent lapses in electricity and running water.

So far, Latin America has been spared the worst ravages of the virus. Around 100 cases have been reported in the region since Brazil announced the first case on Feb. 26.

But - with neighboring Colombia confirming its first case last week - it is only a matter of time before it reaches Venezuela, officials say.

[CatMor]

1. My daughter lived in Venezuela for many years ..

I am thankful everyday that she left before it all fell apart.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. Went there several times in the 90s to maybe 2000, used to be nice

[CatMor]

3. She left in 2001 ...

led a decent life there before all of this.